In the name of Allah the Most Gracious the Most Merciful

Allah’s name al-‘Azeez العزيز

By Shaykh Abdur-Razzaaq ibn Abdil-Muhsin al-Badr may Allah preserve him

The shaykh explains this beautiful name in his book, “Fiqhul Asmaail Husnaa”. He says,

al-’Azeez is mentioned in the Qur’an close to one hundred times. The meaning of “al-’Azeez” is: The One who has all meanings of might/honor/glory.

إِنَّ ٱلۡعِزَّةَ لِلَّهِ جَمِيعًا‌ۚ

“…for all power and honor belong to Allah.” [Surah Yunus: 65]

Meaning, He is the One who possesses all of the meanings related to might, honor, and glory (‘Izza). There are three meanings of ‘Izza, all of which are affirms His completion and perfection.

The first meaning: ‘Izza of His Power, and this is a tremendous description. The power of creation cannot compare to Him. Allah, the Most High, said,

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ ٱلرَّزَّاقُ ذُو ٱلۡقُوَّةِ ٱلۡمَتِينُ

“Verily, Allah is the All-Provider, Owner of Power, the Most Strong.” [Surah Dhariyaat: 58]

أَوَلَمۡ يَرَوۡاْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَهُمۡ هُوَ أَشَدُّ مِنۡہُمۡ قُوَّةً۬‌ۖ

“…and they said: ‘Who is mightier than us in strength?’ See they not that Allah, Who created them was mightier in strength than them.” [Surah Fussilaat: 15]

وَلَوۡ يَرَى ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوٓاْ إِذۡ يَرَوۡنَ ٱلۡعَذَابَ أَنَّ ٱلۡقُوَّةَ لِلَّهِ جَمِيعً۬ا

“…If only, those who do wrong could see, when they will see the torment, that all power belongs to Allah…” [Surah Baqarah: 165]

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ قَوِىٌّ۬ شَدِيدُ ٱلۡعِقَابِ

“Verily, Allah is All-Strong, Severe in punishment.” [Surah Anfaal: 52]

مَا قَدَرُواْ ٱللَّهَ حَقَّ قَدۡرِهِۦۤ‌ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَقَوِىٌّ عَزِيزٌ

“They have not estimated Allah His Rightful Estimate; Verily, Allah is All-Strong, All-Mighty.” [Surah Hajj: 64]

The second meaning: ‘Izza of His Need. Indeed, He is the Self-Sufficient and does not need anyone/thing. The slaves will never be able to harm or benefit Him. Rather, He is ad-Daarr (The One who harms) and an-Naafi’ (The One who benefits), al-Mu’tee (The One who gives), al-Maani’ (The One who prevents). He is free from all imperfections, deficiencies, defects, blemishes, and everything that negates His perfection. He is free from partners and associates. He, the Most High, said,

سُبۡحَـٰنَ رَبِّكَ رَبِّ ٱلۡعِزَّةِ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ (١٨٠) وَسَلَـٰمٌ عَلَى ٱلۡمُرۡسَلِينَ (١٨١) وَٱلۡحَمۡدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ

“Glorified is your Lord, the Lord of Honor and Power! (He is free) from what they attribute unto Him! And peace be on the Messengers! And all the praises and thanks are to Allah, Lord of the ‘Alamîn (mankind, jinn and all that exists)” [Surah Saaffaat: 180-182]

وَلَهُ ٱلۡمَثَلُ ٱلۡأَعۡلَىٰ فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ‌ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡحَكِيمُ

“His is the highest description in the heavens and in the earth. And He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.” [Surah Rum: 27]

قُلۡ أَرُونِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَلۡحَقۡتُم بِهِۦ شُرَڪَآءَۖ كَلَّاۚ بَلۡ هُوَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡحَكِيمُ

“Say (O Muhammad to polytheists and pagans): ‘Show me those whom you have joined with Him as partners. Nay (there are not at all any partners with Him)! But He is Allah (Alone), the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.” [Surah Saba: 27]

The third meaning: ‘Izza of His Mastery/Over Power over everything that exists. Everything is conquered by Him, submissive to His Greatness, and obedient to His Want. Nothing can move or act freely except by His Power, Might, and Permission. Whatever He wills occurs, and whatever He doesn’t will doesn’t happen. Laa Hawla wa Laa Quwata illa Billah.

قُلِ ٱللَّهُمَّ مَـٰلِكَ ٱلۡمُلۡكِ تُؤۡتِى ٱلۡمُلۡكَ مَن تَشَآءُ وَتَنزِعُ ٱلۡمُلۡكَ مِمَّن تَشَآءُ وَتُعِزُّ مَن تَشَآءُ وَتُذِلُّ مَن تَشَآءُ‌ۖ بِيَدِكَ ٱلۡخَيۡرُ‌ۖ إِنَّكَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىۡءٍ۬ قَدِيرٌ۬ (٢٦) تُولِجُ ٱلَّيۡلَ فِى ٱلنَّهَارِ وَتُولِجُ ٱلنَّهَارَ فِى ٱلَّيۡلِ‌ۖ وَتُخۡرِجُ ٱلۡحَىَّ مِنَ ٱلۡمَيِّتِ وَتُخۡرِجُ ٱلۡمَيِّتَ مِنَ ٱلۡحَىِّ‌ۖ وَتَرۡزُقُ مَن تَشَآءُ بِغَيۡرِ حِسَابٍ۬

“Say (O Muhammad): ‘O Allah! Possessor of the kingdom, You give the kingdom to whom You will, and You take the kingdom from whom You will, and You endue with honour whom You will, and You humiliate whom You will. In Your Hand is the good. Verily, You are Able to do all things. You make the night to enter into the day, and You make the day to enter into the night (i.e. increase and decrease in the hours of the night and the day during winter and summer), You bring the living out of the dead, and You bring the dead out of the living. And You give wealth and sustenance to whom You will, without limit (measure or account).’” [Surah Ali ‘Imraan: 26-27]

From the effects of having faith in this Name is that the slave becomes submissive to Allah alone. (The slave) seeks shelter, refuge, a safe haven, and honor/power only in Him.

مَن كَانَ يُرِيدُ ٱلۡعِزَّةَ فَلِلَّهِ ٱلۡعِزَّةُ جَمِيعًاۚ

“Whosoever desires honor, (power and glory) then to Allah belong all honor, power and glory [and one can get honor, power and glory only by obeying and worshipping Allah (Alone)]…” [Surah Faatir: 10]

And whenever the slave increases in actualizing and realizing this Name he will increase in attaining ‘Izza.

وَلِلَّهِ ٱلۡعِزَّةُ وَلِرَسُولِهِۦ وَلِلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ

“..But honor, power and glory belong to Allah, and to His Messenger (Muhammad), and to the believers…” [Surah Munaafiqun: 8]

Translated by: Abu Awzaa’ee AbdusSalaam

الفقير الى الله